DENVER, COLORADO -- My husband and I had an awful experience with Advantage Rent A Car in Denver during the 2010 Thanksgiving week. I reserved a car on-line through CheapTickets.com and received a quote of $93 plus change for a 4 day rental. When we arrived to pick up the car we were hard-sold into an upgrade, lied to about the predicted weather, and cost of off-site gas. (OK, our fault for accepting and we can deal with that.) The charge was now estimated to over $193. Bite. When we returned the car, the attendant did all the usual things, took the key bobs and credited us back a few dollars because we were returning with 2/3 a tank of gas. Great, to the credit of Advantage, the rate on our receipt was reduced down to $146 plus change. Upon returning home after a few more days of traveling, we had a phone message from someone at Advantage Denver stating that we had just turned the car in 40 minutes prior without returning the keys and there would be a added charge on our bill if we did not turn the keys back in 24 hours. Apparently the message was put on our answering machine 40 minutes after we left the rental area - we were still in the airport waiting for our flight. There was never a call to the cell phone number that we carried in traveling and had given the attendant when we rented upfront. We both distinctly remember turning the keys over to the attendant, so we assumed Advantage would find the keys and not charge us. After listening to the phone message (now days after it was recorded), my husband called Advantage Denver and has been given a huge run-around. They told him the key was found and the charge would be reversed. The total amount Advantage charged my credit card - for their mistake, was $396.46. They have yet to return our calls or reverse the additional charge for the lost key (which someone in their house misplaced!)
So, what I thought was going to be a great car rental deal of $93 for four days, turned into over $300 more. This issue is still not resolved and I do not appreciate the extra $300 on my credit card - particularly during the Christmas season!! I will never use this company again, nor will anyone I know.

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Left Stranded

Posted by leftstranded on 09/26/2010

DES MOINES, IOWA -- So we rented a car through Advantage rent a car, on Travelocity. My flight info was entered. It said that this company meets delayed flights. As our plane left the gate they saw a low oil light on and had to pull back into the gate. We never got off the plane. We arrived at 12 18 am, instead of 11 45 pm. I went to the car rental counters. There was no one there. A girl at the Hertz counter was closing up after renting out a car. I asked her if they were on break or something. She said No, they left at midnight. I started to have a panic attack. What was I going to do? The airport was abandoned. I needed to drive to Iowa City. My sister reserved the car for me because she was at home with her 11 month old and three year old. Her husband has been deployed. She probably wouldn't even hear the phone. I opened up my printed reservation and called Travelocity. The man at customer service called the local Advantage, he of course got no answer. He called their customer service line. He talked to them first, then would come back to me.

Which is good because I was hysterical and probably wouldn't have said anything that made any sense. He sadi that the counter was closed for the night. He suggested taking a taxi to a hotel and coming back in the morning. I had no cash. I only had my debit card on me. Plus that was an expense I hadn't planned for. I knew I couldn't afford that. I asked him if the car company was going to pay for that, my response was they couldn't guarantee it. I asked if they could call someone in to get my car. They said they couldn't. The Travelocity customer service eventually transferred me to their customer service. I spoke with that woman for a while. Asking the same questions, and not hearing an answer I liked. I finally called my mother, who travels a lot. She told me to go to those one call kiosks and find a hotel that had a 24hr shuttle.

The Des Moines Holiday Inn gave me a ride and a room. The drivers were nice even though I couldn't tip them. The front desk clerk said the rental car companies do this all the time. They gave me their best rate of 119 for the night. I went to sleep at 2 am and was up at 7 to go back to the airport. The girl there said they usually wait, and she had left a note telling them to wait. I was so tired and had taken medication to calm myself down, so I wasn't irate. I told her I was really upset that this happened. She apologized. She showed me the rental agreement. I asked her if there was anything she could do for me. She got the manager and told him what happened. He was very calm about it and said he would address it. He said he would give me a day free. Which because this was an economy car was like 17 dollars. When we finally got to the car I was a little disappointed that it had manual locks and windows. But I knew it was cheap, so we went on our way. I was ten minutes on the highway when I was searching for cruise control and couldn't find it. I couldn't believe it, I asked them for directions to I 80 they asked where I was going. They knew I had a two hour drive. They didn't even think about the fact that cruise control would be necessary? When I got to my sister's I searched my receipt for a local branch #. There wasn't one. I went online and emailed every Advantage email I could get a hold of. I told them what happened. No one EVER responded. NO ONE! When I finished my trip and returned the rental car, I had to wait at the counter for 5 minutes before an agent came. She was outside. I told her that I had been abandoned, she said "Oh yeah, I heard about that," I told her I would like the mgr to call me because 17 dollars was nothing on the 140 I had to spend on the hotel for five hours. She said OK. I never heard from the manager. My calf had a cramp the rest of that day, no cruise control. When I got home I "liked" them on Facebook so that I could post on their wall about what happened. They responded saying to go the Advantage site and send them an email. Which I had already done. I still have not heard anything from them, and think I should go to the Better Business Bureau. Thank you for listening to my story. If there was a way to rate their car company they would get zero!

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Pay the extra and stick with Alamo, Budget, or National.

Posted by Rick on 09/17/2009

ORLANDO - OFF AIRPORT (MCO), FLORIDA -- Ten people in line and 1-1/2 later we were given keys to what was supposed to be the upgraded mid size car we reserved. The counter guy was a pig who was beyond rude to the point I wanted to deck him. The manager was just as much or more of an ass hole. We were given an 08 Marquis that was filthy, dented up, and it stunk like a combination of puke, piss, crap, and smoke. Oh yes, the tank was 1/4 full. We complianed and they said they had nothing else. We asked, "so what will all the other people in line get"? "Oh, those cars are reserved". "What about the mid sized car we reserved?" "We upgraded you". Bull crap. The lot was dark and we asked for a flash light to count the hundreds of dents. He said "we don't loan flash lights". We finally got another agent and he said the same thing. We pressed the issue and he got us into a Saturn SUV. Again, dirty, and the carpets were greasy and filthy. At this point we just wanted to get the heck out of there. We counted about 20 substantial dents and scratches. And oh yes we had a bonus of french fries and used napkins from the previous renter. On return the lazy guy sitting outside seemed it was almost too much to get up out of his chair to check us out. Not a thank you, come again, kiss my ass or anything. The ride back to the terminal was also "fun" listening to the driver talk to his girlfriend in Spanish the whole trip. He was still talking when we got off...again not even a kiss my....
Don't waste your precious time and energy with this company. Stick with one of the bigger ones and just pay the difference even if it is double. It is worth it not to have that kind of frustration. My personal favorite is Alamo and that is what I am sticking within the future. If you choose Advantage you will be sorry, that I guarantee!

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Horrible Experience

Posted by Mauricio on 08/01/2014

Rating: 1/51

KAHULUI, HAWAII -- Traveled to Maui with my wife and a child. Booked a car online for $180 for 6 days. Got to the airport and waited 5 min to get the shuttle, once I got to the office I waited 15 min. The salesman, because that's what he was, started pushing for an upgrade, after we said no, he started with the " loss of use" insurance, then an extra day charge for returning the car 4 hs later ( same day) but instead of returning the car at 1:00 pm, return it at 5:00 pm. Long story short the whole bill ended up being $370.

Nice way to start the vacation. I wasn't going to get back in the shuttle, go back to the Airport and start looking for a car with other companies. So I signed and got the car. I think they take advantage ( wait, that's the name of the company) of the situation.

Be aware of all the extra hidden charges. I would never ever rent a car with this company again and I'll make sure to spread the word so other people don't get scammed like I did.

If you read the reviews online (thing that I didn't do) you will see that there are many unhappy customers.

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Advantage Over Charges

Posted by Darrman on 08/05/2013

Rating: 1/51

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- I just got done renting an "advantage" car for a week in salt lake city, ut. It took forever for advantage to get us through the paperwork and to the vehnicle. Once we were driving, we noticed that the maintenance oil warning was glaring in the instrument column - guess advantage is a bit behind on scheduled maintenance. But, the worst thing is they doubled the price I was quoted! They quoted me approximately $250 - but they charged me $500!!!!!!!![snip].

I called and talked with the manager there and all he had to say was, "well, that was the price for the car; the rest is all additional charges that have to do with the airport". He refused to talk about it further, gave me the number to their corporate offices and hung up the phone.

Don't go with advantage unless you like being taken advantage of!!! The Better Business Bureau is my next stop in my battle to get the frivolous charges removed.

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They made my wife cry.

Posted by Paul on 09/07/2012

Rating: 1/51

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA -- Why nobody should use Advantage Rental Cars (especially in San Jose)
When you hand someone a credit card and tell them it has a $500 limit, you don't run it for $700, tell the person your card is declined and your reservation has been canceled. Don't bother changing the reservation with Advantage by phone because they won't run the card again for 24 hours. Don't let Phillip & Graham make your wife cry when she is turned away again just because. Don't bother wasting 45 minutes being passed from one reservation supervisor to the next because they flat out cannot do anything.
Just say no to the company that made my wife cry!!!!!!

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Taken Advantage of

Posted by Mrst5d on 02/14/2012

Rating: 1/51

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA -- Advantage lives up to its name because I was totally taken advantage of. I can't argue with the price, quoted at $20.00/day. But what wasn't made clear was the $200.00 hold they put on my checking account, along with the $20.00/day charge. The car was returned yesterday but the $200.00 was not returned to my checking account as of yet. Also, during the explanation of the gas options, I merely shook my head to say I understood I had the option of getting gas myself or having them fill it when I bring it back. I had all intentions of filling it myself, but then saw on my receipt (tucked away in the little brochure they give you so you can't notice pages 2 and 3) they billed me $38.00 for gas for a little Versa! This is a company that is owned by Hertz, by the way. I am disappointed Hertz would run such a shabby business. Will not be taken Advantage of again!

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Lousy Service

Posted by LittleTank on 08/03/2011

P.O. BOX 22091, D-5 TEMPE, ARIZONA -- On June 7th I rented a car from Advantage in Tampa. First we had to wait, then when we got the vehicle it was filthy. Trash was under the seats and dog hair was everywhere. I did like driving the Nisson Versa. We were told we were to pick up the rental at the Tampa Airport where most rental vehicles are rented from. My husband stayed with me until the shuttle came. The guy was helpful and my husband followed me to location in Tampa. Well they tried to push their insurance on us and hadn't mentioned it when we called. We didn't take it. I was going up to Connecticut for a funeral of my best friend of 56 years and wanted to go as cheaply as possible but safely. When we were returning home, we stopped in NYC and parked in a No Standing zone because there were no handicapped spaces available. I sent the ticket back to NYC where it is pending right now and told them about the problem of parking. They haven't made a decision yet but the ticket has been paid. I told ATS-Advantage the situation and told them not to pay the ticket as the hearing is pending. I sent them copies of their letter to me, the ticket front and back and the pending notice I copied from my computer TWICE. Why didn't they wait before they paid the ticket and charged me and extra $40.00 for processing. I wouldn't recommend Advantage or use it myself again. We are on a limited income-Disability-both my husband and myself. I have an excellent driving record and have been driving since 1960. Most states don't ticket handicapped persons if there aren't any handicapped spaces. Why should I pay for the new bldgs. going up on Ground Zero? I'm not a terrorist! Make them pay with the oil in Iraq or whatever they have of value in Afganistan. We are already paying with our taxes for the wars there. If they don't stop all of this there will be a war here between the President, Congress and all the people they are trying to take away their only livihood which they earned during their lives. To threaten to take away a veterans livlihood is just plain not fair. They have given life and limbs to keep us free not to gauge us as Advantage does.

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Worst Rental Company Ever

Posted by suckerneveragain on 12/11/2010

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA -- I booked the car online got confirmation number I got an email for easy online check-in I also did that. I thought everything was fine, until I got to West Palm Beach. Out of the airport I gave my family member the paperwork with all the information. The printout from the computer, confirming the vehicle. When I got a call informing me that they said there was no vehicle waiting for me and that they wouldn't pick me up. I called and told them I would be right in to pick up my rental car again they informed me not to bother they have no cars. So I informed them to drop off my family members back at the airport the same way they picked them up. (by the shuttle bus) They refused and stated they have no transportation. I called a couple of times and no one picked up the phone. My family member stated "oh they closed up". Then I got really upset after one hour my family member arrived back at the airport and I went to rent a car with Enterprise. Lucky for me I have good friends who did everything online. Enterprise was FABULOUS no problems what so ever. So if you are looking to find a real good deal. DON'T DO IT WITH ADVANTAGE. I think they really took ADVANTAGE of me. This is a unreliable company that apparently DOES NOT CARE, I think. Never never again will they take me as a sucker. ONE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED EX CUSTOMER.

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Worst Car Rental Experience In 25 Years

Posted by Jo on 08/02/2010

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -- I decided I would like to return my car rented in San Diego to LAX instead. To even ask if that was possible, involved multiple phone calls, being on hold for more than 30 minutes, and finally a manager took my name and number and said she'd call me back. She never did, so I called her. She said it would be $150 flat fee. It said I needed to think about it. I decided to do it and called back the next morning. When I called, I was hung up on 8 times in a row. I finally got through and a manager said he was busy but would take my name and number and get back to me. 9 hours later, he had still not called, so I called back. When I called back, was told he was unavailable and they'd take my name and number and get back to me. While I was arguing with them to ensure I would get a phone call returned, the manager miraculously became available. He told me that my record showed I was dropping off in LAX fo $150.

I thought I was through with the customer device nightmare, but when I dropped it off in LAX, they had no record of me coming there and were going to charge me over $1,000 for what was supposed to be $400 total. Trying to get this resolved took 4 phone cals to San Diego and there was never a manager to help. After over 90 minutes, I couldn't risk missing my flight, so paid another wrongly calculated fee which was $250 more than expected. San Diego personnel ensured me that she'd leave detailed notes and someone would take care of me in the morning. So now am on day 4 of the saga...no return phone call and it is late in the afternoon. So, I called them....No manager is available and they took my number and will call me back. I doubt I will ever get a manager or a return phone call - will have to contest my charges through my credit card company I guess.

This company should not be allowed to do business. They are unethical, changed the rate of my signed contract, and have zero customer service skills.